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Connecticut Owner Operator Jobs

If you have good business sense, the skills to get and retain clients, and a desire to be your own boss, owning and operating your own commercial truck may be the next logical step in your career. Owner-operators purchase their own trucks, find their own clients and loads to carry, and set their schedules.

You may find many opportunities in the state of Connecticut. The New England area has lots of manufacturing companies that need to transport their goods all over the country. If you're willing to work hard, business ownership may pay off for you.

Becoming an owner-operator can be a bit more risky than working as a company driver. Rather than pulling an annual salary, you have to reinvest part of your income in your business. In addition, your salary may fluctuate from month to month depending on how many loads you transport and what clients you have. You must also budget for extra expenses, like your truck payment, health insurance, and liability insurance. Overall, truck drivers in this state earn an average of $43,200 per year (O*Net, 2013). Your income may be higher as you build a reputation in the trucking industry.

There is a statewide need for truck drivers. O*Net expects the demand for truck drivers to increase 10% between 2010 and 2020. This shortage may allow you to find shipping companies that are looking for reliable owner-operators.

The first step to becoming an owner-operator is getting your commercial driver's license if you do not already have it. Consider earning a Class A license rather than a Class B license. This type of license allows you to drive multiple types of trucks and take on a greater variety of loads.

All commercial licensing in Connecticut goes through the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. You must first pass a written test and get your learner's permit. From there, you can learn skills that you'll need in your career. In addition to learning how to drive safely, your instructors may cover loading trucks, unloading trucks, complying with trucking laws, and being safe while driving on long stretches of road.

You may opt to take a few business courses at your local college. This may prepare you for the challenges of business ownership, like accounting, billing clients, and balancing your schedule. You must also register your trucking business with the Connecticut Department of Revenue before operating as a business owner.